A group of sevens rugby players from Hoërskool Strand have been selected to the South African Warriors team that will play at the Dubai Sevens Tournament in November.
Shaun Prins, the under-16 rugby coach at Hoërskool Strand, is incredibly proud of the boys who displayed immense passion and heart at several schools sevens tournaments last year. The team finished runners-up in the Championship Cup, of which the finals took place at Loftus Versveld in Pretoria.
“Our plan was to be the best and they worked very hard, including training over holidays, to achieve this goal,” said Prins.
“They played above their level and this was clear for all to see. Everyone was talking about them and sure enough, they were selected for the SA Warriors team, which will be one of the four youth teams from South Africa that will play in Dubai at the end of the year.”
It is also the first time in the school’s history that five 7s rugby players were selected for an international series.
The players now have the arduous task of raising their own funds, which amount to just over R40 000 per player.
“These boys represent the community and we need to stand by them, support them and make sure that they are given opportunities, which is all they need,” said Prins.
He described the boys as having “7s in their blood” and said that given the opportunity to go to Dubai will further ignite their passion as their expectations are nothing below aiming for the winners tournament. “They have already made us proud and I know they will give their everything to make a mark on an international stage.”
- Various fundraisers are being planned in the months ahead of the November deadline. To show support and for donations, call Prins on 060 573 3761.
